Scientists-archaeologists have discovered the oldest solar observatory in the North, Central and South America. According to experts, the age of this structure is more than 2,300 years. Thanks to this observatory, it was possible to find out that as early as 500 BC - 300 AD, complex ceremonial rites dedicated to the cult of the Sun were held there.
Recall that the most ancient scientific instrument for observing the Sun is the famous Stonehenge, which is about 5,000 years old. According to archaeologists, Stonehenge could be used for various purposes, but the most popular version is that with the help of Stonehenge, ancient astronomers and priests monitored the position of the Sun and determined the longest day of the year (June 22) and the shortest (December 22), respectively, the sun on the longest day was at the highest point, and on the shortest day - at the lowest.
As for the Peruvian finds, earlier there were found fragments of low buildings, the age of which, according to some estimates, exceeds 4,000 years. Archaeologists believe that these buildings were also used for solar observations, but since the buildings were almost completely destroyed, this cannot be reliably established.
Scientists from the Institute of National Culture in Lima (Peru) say that there are historical records indicating that around the found solar observatory there were previously so-called "solar pillars", which were built about 1500 years ago. With the help of them, the Incas performed religious rituals, and also calculated the time of planting crops.
According to Ivan Chezzi, from the Institute of National Culture, and Clive Ruggels, a professor at the University of Leicester (UK), the found ancient structures may indicate that the early civilizations of South America constantly monitored the position of the Sun and, based on these observations, performed ceremonies, began the farming season and also kept calendars.
The archaeologists base their conclusions on the fact that the ancient solar observatory, discovered in a place known as Chankillo (coastal regions of Peru), was at one time part of a larger ceremonial fort, the central part of which was both a temple and an observatory.
The best-preserved part of the observatory is a small hill, with 13 notches, with the help of which the place of sunrise was determined - about every week the Sun rose in an ascending direction, which meant a longer day, this lasted about six months, the other six months the Sun rose in a descending direction, which meant change of seasons and a shorter day.
Findings in Peru suggest that the ancient Incas were constantly engaged in astronomy and used solar observations for many social phenomena,”says David Dearborn, scientist at Lorenz Laboratory in Livermore.
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